CORE TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES

a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of knowledge

- improve efficiency
- fewer employees needed -> reduced human error

- organise layout of the building -> removes wasted time moving around
- new technologies, e.g. self cleaning windows save maintenance cost

- more efficient manufacturing -> saves time, money and waste

- computer aided design
- computer aided testing
-> no physical models made -> saves time, money and waste

- Designers pitch an idea and ask for investments.

- it raises awareness
- it raises money to finance their project

start-up businesses

advertising a product using popular websites. Sometimes influencers promote it through social media

a wide range of people can be reached

groups of people with a common interest where everyone has an equal share and say in the business.

a movement that gives people in developing countries equality.

- giving a fair price for produce
- giving better protection of working and living environments

finite
non finite

- not sustainable
- short supply

- oil
- gas
- coal

- sustainable
- easily found
- can be regrown

- wood
- wool
- cotton

- efficient working can reduce waste of time and resources
- new technologies can reduce pollution e.g. electric cars.

when ongoing incremental improvements are made to a product / process

- recycling schemes
- returning electronic products to companies for disposal
- creating products from re-usable / replaceable parts
- use of renewable power sources
- reducing amount of disposable products

analysing stages in a products life and its impact on the environment

- extraction and processing of raw materials
- manufacture and assembly
- transportation
- use
- disposal

- using alternative materials and manufacturing processes

- reducing parts
- alternative energy sources

- sourcing local materials
- relocating factories

- labelling for recycling

when a new technology is invented and then designers use it in a new product

- it produces innovative products
- increases choice

- Dyson developed the cyclone technology inside his vacuum cleaners, creating a bagless design

- touch screen technology was integrated into mobile phones

when consumers want new products so its developed. It is lead by consumer demand.

- the culture of taking selfies lead to demand for smartphones with forward facing cameras

- the social pressure on companies to help the environment led to the development of biodegradable plastic bags.

the market is more competitive so prices are lower

machines replace low-skilled workers

having transferable and adaptable skills

fashion constantly evolves, creating customer demand for new fashion styles

designers are responsible for ensuring their product doesn't cause offence

- Gucci's balaclava knit top was withdraw for causing offence due to its oversized lips and black colour, resembling a black face which has negative cultural significance to black communities.
- carries bags contain an animal fat which is made from boiled animal bones to prevent the bags from sticking. This causes offence to many different faiths and beliefs who avoid touching or using these products.

- pushchair handles being adjustable for people of different heights
- clothes being available in a range of sizes

door frames and entrances to public buildings being wheelchair friendly

communication with them and considering their differing views on lifestyle, significant colours and important symbols.

Umbro released trainers called Zyklon . The Nazis used Zyklon B when murdering millions of Jews in concentration camps. The trainers were quickly withdrawn.

the design of modest swimwear for Muslim women that enables them to swim while covering their body, respecting belief.

it is much easier to communicate with people in different locations.

people don't talk directly with each other as much

time, resources and money can be wasted

at every stage of the manufacturing process, people look for ways to improve it. This reduces waste and negative environmental impacts

- re-organise staff
- planning a production line so stages are next to one another to eliminate travel time
- locating factories close to the source of the material to reduce travel
- ordering correct amounts of material so waste is kept to a minimum

- reduced human error
- reduced need for skilled manual labour

- loss of jobs

Computer Aided Design
- programs that help the designer draw detailed designs

- Speed
- accuracy
- ease of editing
- transfer of CAD TO CAM
- storing and sharing the CAD design
- tests can be simulated
- models can be used to help market research

A program, converted from CAD files, which uses special codes to control CAM equipment

- Laser cutting
- CNC lathe
- CNC milling machine
- CNC router
- CNC sewing machines

a series of automated machines are used in the production of a product. the machines can be easily programmed to change the task they are doing, making the process flexible. robot arms are used as they are easily adapted

- restock shelves
- transfer and assemble parts
- manufacture parts
- check quality to reduce human error

parts needed for manufacture arrive just as they are needed directly from the supplier

a close relationship with the supplier

- less storage space needed
- minimal waste because you only order what you need
- production runs can easily change to another product

- if there's a problem with the supplier, the process is delayed
- unexpected demand could lead to delays

making the most efficient and effective product, minimising waste in all aspects of the process

efficient working
JIT manufacture
continuous improvement
quality assurance
feedback from consumer

A product is designed to be no longer useful after a set period of time and to be required to be replaced.

- it earns the company more money.
- better products replace them
- sales are maintained

It is bad for the environment as it makes more waste

- using materials that break down easily
- higher cost of repairing than replacement
- software incompatibility
- fashion changes

people have access to lots of information and awareness of the environment has increased. people are more aware of their effect on the environment.

consumers realise their responsibility to reduce waste, leading to increased demand for environmentally friendly and second-hand products

nuclear fission controls reactor heat.
uranium is needed

- clean
- efficient
- doesn't take up much space
- reliable source of energy
- reduces need for fossil fuels

- the waste produced is radioactive which lead to serious damage to the environment
- disastrous effect of explosion

wind
solar
tidal
hydro-electric
biomass

wind turbines use a generator to convert movement from the wind into electricity

- noise
- only works in windy conditions
- can harm wildlife
- ugly

photovoltaic cells convert energy from the sun's rays into electricity

- sunny conditions needed
- need to be angled towards sun

movement of turbines in water use a generator to convert movement from the tide into electricity

- expensive
- difficult to access
- disturbs wildlife

a reservoir is created with a dam. The dam controls the flow of water which turns turbines that use a generator to convert movement into electricity

- disturbs wildlife and the environment
- expensive

waste material from animals and plants contain stored energy from the sun. biofuel is burnt to generate heat and power turbines that generate electricity

- carbon emissions
- land needed for farming -> deforestation, high water usage

kinetic pumped
batteries - alkaline, rechargeable

use energy from motion to make power. they have 2 reservoirs and a dam. when there is high demand, the dam is opened, moving water. when there is low demand, electricity is pumped back up

electrochemical cells that convert chemical energy into electricity

they work through the reaction of zinc and manganese oxide

- single use
- recyclable
- long shelf life

- while initial cost is higher, some can be recharged around 1000 times, saving money
- less waste in landfills
- less materials used in manufacturing

metal containing pores filled with gas

- physical properties of the metal
- much lighter

- sound absorption
- impact absorption in cars

A single layer of graphite with cells in a hexagonal pattern

- very strong
- flexible
- transparent
- conducts heat and electricity

- biomedicine
- solar cells
- smartphones
- material coatings

1-100 nm

- nanomaterial coatings for glass and fabrics can repel dirt and water, giving water resistance
- miniaturisation of electronics

They have a property that changes in response to external stimulus. The change is reversible if the stimulus changes again.

- Shape memory alloy
- Thermochromic pigments
- photochromic pigments
- self-healing materials
- litmus paper

they change to their original shape when heated

spectacle frames - if accidentally bent, they can be heated and returned tp their original shape